That "My Brain is Full" Feeling (and what to do about it)
Can we talk about that specific moment when you're trying to learn something new—like SEO, or a new design software—and you just hit a wall? It's not imposter syndrome, where you feel like a fraud. It's different. It's that quiet, heavy feeling where the words on the screen start to blur, and a little voice whispers, "I'm just not smart enough for this. My brain doesn't work this way." You see other people talking about "search volume" and "competition ratios," and it feels like they're speaking a different language. The overwhelm is so real that you just want to close the laptop and go back to what you know you're good at—creating your beautiful products. This feeling has a name: it's learning friction. It's the natural resistance our brains have when forging new neural pathways. It's not a sign of your intelligence; it's a sign that you are actively growing. But knowing that doesn't always make it feel better in the moment. So, when you feel that wall go up, here's a simple, mindful practice to help you move through it, not just run from it. The "One Thing" Reset 1. Acknowledge the Feeling, Without Judgment. The next time that "I'm not getting this" feeling creeps in, just pause. Close your eyes for 10 seconds. Silently say to yourself, "Okay, this is frustrating. This part is hard." Don't fight it or criticize yourself for it. Just notice it, like noticing a cloud in the sky. 2. Shrink the Goal Until It's Almost Laughable. You don't need to "Master Etsy SEO" today. You don't even need to finish one whole listing. Your goal, for the next 15 minutes, is to do just one thing. - Find one potential keyword using the ABC method. - Fill out the Alt Text for one photo. - Think of one new shop section name. 3. Celebrate the "One Thing." When you've done that one, tiny thing, physically close your laptop or walk away for a minute. You did it. You engaged with the difficult task and you completed it. That is a win. Your intelligence isn't measured by how fast you learn, but by your compassion for yourself during the process. You learned your craft, you built your products, and you have everything you need to learn this, too. One small thing at a time.